Grimsby Town new-boy says it was tough to quit United

LOUIE Soares says it was a tough decision to quit Hayes and Yeading after his beat-the-deadline move to Grimsby Town.

The 27-year-old, who has scored 16 goals this season, signed an attractive two-and-a-half year deal with play-off chasers Town on transfer deadline day, but he said turning his back on Hayes and Yeading’s relegation battle was far from easy.

United, who never received a fee for Soares as he was playing for the club on non-contract terms, moved quickly to fill the void by re-signing James Mulley on loan from AFC Wimbledon.

But assistant boss Tristan Lewis admitted that Soares will be difficult to replace and the player himself, who will be moving to Grimsby with his family, said: "It was 100 per cent a tough decision to leave Hayes. They have done really well for me and I feel that Hayes have played a big part in pushing my career forward again.

“I got on well with all the players and staff and the supporters were always behind me. I would like to say a big thank you to the supporters.

“It is the right move for me and my family though. I was not on a contract at Hayes and Yeading and this gives me security, which was in my mind when I considered going there.

“Of course Hayes can stay up – it is not a one-man team. As long as everyone gets behind the players that come in then they can do it. They already have the squad to do it. It has just not clicked yet and we were just not picking up the points.”

Soares will now be hoping to help another club to a Football League promotion after he was a part of the Aldershot Town side that went up in 2006.

Lewis said: "Louie is a top man and he has been good for us. He has had many chances to move earlier in the season and his goals have been a big help to us. He was a pleasure to have in the group and would often stay behind on the training pitch. It is going to be difficult to replace him, but he deserves a chance with a bigger club."